Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. Spends $100M on Homelessness Efforts, Mental Health Care
A report from Los Angeles City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana finds that the city spends about $100 million per year on homelessness efforts, such as mental health services. The report also shows paramedics spend significant resources on the city’s homeless population. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Hospitals Average 2.7 Stars on CMS’ New Rating System
Yesterday, CMS unveiled its first-ever five-star quality ratings system on its Hospital Compare website, awarding five-star ratings to about 7% of the nation’s hospitals. California hospitals received, on average, 2.7 stars, with just eight hospitals receiving the highest rating. Modern Healthcare et al.
CMS Proposes 1.4% Payment Increase for Skilled Nursing Facilities
CMS has issued a proposed rule that would increase Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities by 1.4%, or $500 million, in fiscal year 2016 and implement a value-based payment model for such facilities. CMS is accepting public comments on the proposed rule through June 15. Modern Healthcare, CMS fact sheet.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 17, 2015
The Daughters of Charity Health System plans to cut various services at two of its safety-net facilities in order “to save the hospitals.” The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Northern California Health Care System has opened a new medical center for veterans with mental health issues.
Calif. Drugmaker To Construct New Facility in Berkeley
This month, drugmaker Bayer HealthCare will begin construction on a new product-testing facility in Berkeley. The $100 million facility is expected to be completed in 2017. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Morning Edition.”
Kaiser Study Finds Link Between Gestational Diabetes and Increased Risk of Autism
Diabetes diagnosed in women during early stages of pregnancy was linked to an increased risk in their children being diagnosed with autism, according to a study of 322,000 children born at Kaiser Permanente Hospitals in Southern California. Meanwhile, women whose gestational diabetes was diagnosed after 26 weeks of pregnancy had the same risk of having a child who developed autism as women without diabetes. San Bernardino Sun/Pasadena Star-News, Medscape.
Calif. Assembly Committee Passes Bill To Tighten Oversight of Health Care Provider Licensing System
On Tuesday, the California Assembly on Business and Professions voted 14-0 to advance a bill that would require the state Department of Consumer Affairs to submit a yearly report to the state Legislature and Department of Finance on IT plans and potential “operational efficiencies” of the state’s BreEZe licensing system. The bill follows a state audit that found the computer system, which is designed to process online applications and renewals for health care providers, is on pace to more than triple its original $27 million budget. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
E-Cigarette Use Among Middle School, High School Students Tripled Last Year, Data Show
Between 2013 and 2014, use of electronic cigarettes tripled among middle and high school students, according to federal data released Thursday. In total, 4.6 million young people — or about 25% of high school students and 8% of middle school students — used a tobacco product last year. The data shows about 400,000 of those individuals were first-time tobacco product users. New York Times.
On Wednesday, a federal judge in California declined to remove marijuana from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of most addictive and harmful drugs, which includes those that have no current medical uses. However, advocates in California — where medical marijuana is legal — say it has clear medical benefits. New York Times.
Lawmakers Delay Vote on Calif. Bill To Tighten Vaccine Requirements
Yesterday, a contentious bill by state Sen. Richard Pan to tighten California’s childhood vaccination requirements stalled in the Senate Education Committee after its chair said the bill did not have enough votes to pass. Pan said he is considering amendments to the bill to help advance the measure. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal” et al.